New Delhi, India / Kansas City, United States, Saturday, January 29, 2011: Archies Ltd, the leading producer of greeting cards and related gift products in India has today announced that they have entered into a license agreement with Hallmark Cards, Inc the $4 billion global market leader in Social Expressions to bring exclusive Hallmark retail outlets across the country. The company plans to create a similar chain of Hallmark stores (as in the United States) all across India. These stores will retail exclusive Hallmark products, including cards, stationery and gifts, including the powerful and synergetic brands like Crayola art products, the William Arthur range of luxury stationery, and merchandise of world famous characters like Snoopy & Garfield among others.

The current plan is for Archies to open Hallmark stores, alongwith the ongoing expansion of the Archies retail footprint.

Said Mr. Anil Moolchandani, Chairman of Archies Ltd, “This event marks a milestone in a relationship that goes back decades to when we launched Archies. I had always been inspired by the Hallmark retail stores and their product offerings and today, a dream has come true. To represent Hallmark in India is an honor and I’m delighted to be associated with the company and its owners”, he further added.

Hallmark’s Global Director of Licensing, Scott Chaloud, said “I’ve known Anil for at least 10 years and he knew my predecessors. We’ve always recognized a natural connection between the two companies but have, until now, been unable to make it a reality. However, we are now committed to a path that will help grow the category, add product variety to the market and establish the Hallmark brand in India. Archies is both financially and strategically capable of delivering on the brand promise”.

The partnership seems a win-win scenario for the global leaders and their Indian counterparts. Archies proven strength in retailing and publishing in India combined with Hallmark’s technological knowhow and understanding of sentiments will help both brands co-exist and maximize their potential in India.

To help make this happen, are the behind the scenes dedicated design and manufacturing teams. Archies has an integrated manufacturing cum warehouse located on a 3.5 acre campus in Manesar.

About Hallmark Cards

Hallmark Cards is a $4 billion world-leader in Social Expressions. Hallmark, which has over 40,000 retail stores and 3,200 Hallmark Gold Crown stores in the USA alone. Headquartered in Kansas City, Hallmark has completed over 100 years in the business and has grown from its humble beginnings to becoming a global behemoth. It is a technology leader in the category and has many innovations and firsts to its credit, including sound cards. It also owns powerful synergetic brands like Crayola art products and the William Arthur range of luxury stationery. In addition to having licenses for merchandise of world famous characters like Snoopy & Garfield.

It also owns powerful synergetic brands like Crayola art products and the William Arthur range of luxury stationery. In addition to having licenses for merchandise of world famous characters like Snoopy & Garfield.

About Archies

Archies Limited is India’s market leader in the social expression industry with over 60% market share in the organized sector. Having pioneered the concept of branded retailing in India over the last three decades Archies has grown with the spread of modern culture, increasing urbanization and improving standard of living. With the retail boom happening in the country, Archies is consciously targeting malls and other prime retail space for opening its own stores.

Archies currently operates 195 exclusive outlets in 14 states 57 cities and nearly 300 franchise outlets across India and neighbouring countries. With an increased focus of gifting, Archies has exclusive tie-ups with many global majors, like Russ Berrie, Inc. of USA, Keel Toys, Carte Blanche, Paper Island, History & Heraldry of UK, just to name a few.

At the CSR level, Archies has long standing arrangements with HelpAge (India’s premier NGO for Old People) and CRY (India’s premier NGO for underprivileged children), where Archies designs, manufactures and markets Greeting Cards and other Social Expression Stationery with royalties going to them.